Voice chat mode self-adapting method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

This application discloses a voice chat mode adaptation method and apparatus. The method includes: receiving, by a server, a voice chat request sent by a source client on a chat interface, the voice chat request including information about a corresponding destination client that is on the chat interface; checking whether the destination client of the voice chat request is online; and entering a voice message mode when the destination client is not online, so that the source client and the destination client send a voice message to each other; or entering a real-time chat mode when the destination client is online, so that the source client and the destination client perform real-time hold-to-talk.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of PCT Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/CN2016/083404, filed on May 26, 2016, which claims priority toChinese Patent Application No. 201510395112.6, entitled “VOICE CHAT MODESELF-ADAPTING METHOD AND APPARATUS”, filed with the Chinese PatentOffice on Jul. 7, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

This application relates to the field of network technologies and, inparticular, to a voice chat mode self-adapting method and apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The development of the Internet has brought great convenience to people.People can use the Internet to browse information, shop, perform socialinteraction, or the like. In a chat scenario in which an instantmessaging tool is used, when a message sender sends a message, thesender usually prepares the content of the message first (such asediting a text message or recording a voice message), and then sends themessage to the other party.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of this application provide a voice chat mode self-adaptingmethod and apparatus.

An embodiment of this application provides a voice-chat-modeself-adapting method implemented by a computing terminal having aprocessor and a memory. The method includes receiving a voice chatrequest sent by a source client on a chat interface for a voice chatwith a corresponding destination client, the voice chat requestincluding information about the corresponding destination client on thechat interface; when the destination client is not online, entering avoice message mode such that the source client records a voice messageand sends the voice message to the destination client; when thedestination client is online, entering a real-time chat mode such thatthe source client and the destination client perform real-time voicechat; checking in real-time an online/offline state of each of thesource client and the destination client in the voice chat; andperforming automatic switching between the voice message mode and thereal-time chat mode according to the online/offline state of each of thesource client and the destination client in the voice chat.

An embodiment of this application further provides a voice chat modeself-adapting apparatus. The apparatus includes a memory storinginstructions and a processor coupled to the memory. When executing theinstructions, the processor is configured for: receiving a voice chatrequest sent by a source client on a chat interface for a voice chatwith a corresponding destination client, the voice chat requestincluding information about the corresponding destination client on thechat interface; when the destination client is not online, entering avoice message mode such that the source client records a voice messageand sends the voice message to the destination client; when thedestination client is online, entering a real-time chat mode such thatthe source client and the destination client perform real-time voicechat; checking in real-time an online/offline state of each of thesource client and the destination client in the voice chat; andperforming automatic switching between the voice message mode and thereal-time chat mode according to the online/offline state of each of thesource client and the destination client in the voice chat.

An embodiment of this application provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium containing computer-executableinstructions for, when executed by one or more processors, performing avoice-chat-mode self-adapting method. The method includes receiving avoice chat request sent by a source client on a chat interface for avoice chat with a corresponding destination client, the voice chatrequest including information about the corresponding destination clienton the chat interface; when the destination client is not online,entering a voice message mode such that the source client records avoice message and sends the voice message to the destination client;when the destination client is online, entering a real-time chat modesuch that the source client and the destination client perform real-timevoice chat; checking in real-time an online/offline state of each of thesource client and the destination client in the voice chat; andperforming automatic switching between the voice message mode and thereal-time chat mode according to the online/offline state of each of thesource client and the destination client in the voice chat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of thisapplication more clearly, the following briefly describes theaccompanying drawings for describing the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an interaction structure between aterminal and a server in a voice-chat-mode self-adapting methodaccording to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hardware architecture of a server towhich a voice-chat-mode self-adapting method is applied according to anembodiment of this application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a voice-chat-mode self-adaptingmethod according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a voice chat interface in avoice-chat-mode self-adapting method according to an embodiment of thisapplication;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram of an operation of entering a voice chatinterface to trigger a voice chat request in a voice-chat-modeself-adapting method according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram of an operation when a destination clientis online after a voice chat request is triggered in a voice-chat-modeself-adapting method according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of an operation when a destination clientis not online after a voice chat request is triggered in avoice-chat-mode self-adapting method according to an embodiment of thisapplication;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a voice-chat-mode self-adaptingmethod according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a voice-chat-mode self-adaptingmethod according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a functional module of avoice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus according to an embodiment ofthis application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a functional module of avoice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus according to an embodiment ofthis application;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a functional module of avoice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus according to an embodiment ofthis application;

FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart of a voice-chat-mode self-adaptingmethod according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart of a voice-chat-mode self-adaptingmethod according to an embodiment of this application;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a functional module of avoice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus according to an embodiment ofthis application; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a functional module of avoice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus according to an embodiment ofthis application.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following further describes this application with reference to theaccompanying drawings of the specification and specific embodiments. Itshould be understood that the specific embodiments described herein aremerely used to explain this application, but are not intended to limitthis application.

In an existing chat process in which an instant messaging (IM) tool isused, when a sender sends a voice message, regardless of whether areceiver is online, the sender needs to record the voice message andthen send the voice message. The receiver completes receiving the voicemessage, and then plays the voice message. In fact, direct real-timechat can be definitely performed when the receiver is online. Therefore,the existing voice chat manner is not flexible enough, and users cannotcommunicate effectively.

The embodiments of this application provide a voice-chat-modeself-adapting solution. When client-sides (or clients) perform voicechat, a server can enable the clients to enter a corresponding voicechat mode according to whether the two clients or parties performing thevoice chat are online, so that the voice chat is more flexible, and thecommunication between the clients or friends is more convenient andfaster.

The foregoing voice-chat-mode self-adapting solution is applicable tovoice messaging performed between instant messaging clients, such asinstant messaging tools QQ, WeChat, MOMO, and Laiwang. The clients maybe in a form of a web page or a form of an application program.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an interaction structure between aterminal and a server in a voice-chat-mode self-adapting methodaccording to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 1, aninstant messaging (IM) client A on a terminal 200 a and an instantmessaging client B on a terminal 200 b are friends. The instantmessaging client A initiates a voice chat request to the messagingclient B by using a server 100.

After receiving the voice chat request, the server 100 checks whetherthe instant messaging client B is online. When the instant messagingclient B is online, the server 100 controls the instant messaging clientA and the instant messaging client B to enter a real-time chat mode.When the instant messaging client B is not online, the server 100controls the instant messaging client A to enter a voice chat mode, sothat the instant messaging client A records a voice to generate a voicemessage. After receiving the voice message uploaded by the instantmessaging client A, the server 100 first temporarily stores the voicemessage in the server 100. After the instant messaging client B enters(for example, logs in) a chat interface, the server 100 automaticallysends the voice message to the instant messaging client B.

Therefore, when instant messaging clients need to establish voicemessaging, the server 100 enters a corresponding voice chat modeaccording to whether the two parties performing the voice chat areonline, so that the chat manner is more flexible, and communicationbetween friends is more convenient and faster. The server 100 may be aserver with a single function, or may be a server cluster that includesmultiple servers.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hardware architecture of a serveraccording to an embodiment of this application, and a voice-chat-modeself-adapting method is applied to the server. As shown in FIG. 2, theserver 100 may include a processor 101, a memory 102, a display screen103, a user interaction interface 104, a messaging module 105, and acommunications bus 106.

The communications bus 106 is configured for data communication amongcomponents in the server 100. The user interaction interface 104 isconfigured to: receive information entered by a user, and send theinformation to the processor 101 for processing. The display screen 103is configured to: receive the information sent by the processor 101, andpresent the information to the user in a corresponding format such asimage display of the display screen or voice display of a speaker. Itmay be understood that the display screen 103, for example, atouchscreen, may further be configured to receive information entered bythe user. The messaging module 105 is configured for messaging betweenthe server 100 and an external device. The external device may include aterminal, a server, or the like. The messaging module 105 may includeone or more components, such as a wired messaging unit 108 or a wirelessmessaging unit 107.

The memory 102 is configured to store an operating system 109 that isrun by the server 100, a mode self-adapting apparatus 1000, userinteraction data, and the like. The memory 102 may include an internalmemory and an external memory, such as a memory card or an externalmemory card. As a processing center of the server 100, the processor 101is configured to process data, invoke another component to work, and thelike. For example, the processor 101 invokes, according to a request ofthe user, a corresponding program in the memory 102 for implementation,to implement a function requested by the user.

The memory 102 may include at least one type of nonvolatile storagemedium. The storage medium includes a flash memory, a hard disk, amultimedia card, a card-typed memory (such as an SD, or a DX memory), arandom access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magneticmemory, a magnetic disk, an optical disc, or the like.

The processor 101 may include a processing unit, an ASIC, a logicalunit, a programmable gate array, or the like. For example, the processor101 is a central processing unit (CPU).

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a voice-chat-mode self-adaptingmethod according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG.3, based on the mode self-adapting apparatus 1000 that is on theforegoing server 100 (FIG. 2), this application provides avoice-chat-mode self-adapting method. The method may be implemented by,for example, implemented by a computing terminal having a processor anda memory. The voice-chat-mode self-adapting method includes thefollowings.

S110: Receiving a voice chat request sent by a source client on a chatinterface, the voice chat request including information about acorresponding destination client that is on the chat interface.

The source client and the destination client are located on differentterminals. Each terminal may be a smartphone, an intelligent telephone,a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a PDA (personal digitalassistant), a PAD (tablet computer), a handheld computer, a PMP(portable media player), a wearable device (such as a smart band or asmartwatch), or the like.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a voice chat interface of avoice-chat-mode self-adapting method according to an embodiment of thisapplication. A user enables an instant messaging client of a terminal,and enters a voice chat interface displayed on the display screen of theterminal. As shown in FIG. 4, displayed on the display screen, the voicechat interface 400 includes several corresponding button-type controls,such as a “poke” button 401, a “chat” button 402, and a “message” button403, and an avatar (Atuzheng) 404 of a user is displayed. After the userclicks the “chat” button 402, a friend list interface 405 pops up forthe user to select one or more friends. After the user selects a friend,for example, Alice 406, the instant messaging client A sends, accordingto the “chat” button clicked by the user, a voice chat request to Aliceby using the server 100.

It may be understood that the friend list interface may be displayedfirst and the voice chat interface may be displayed afterwards.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram of a voice chat interface of avoice-chat-mode self-adapting method according to an embodiment of thisapplication. As shown in FIG. 5, on a friend list interface 500, if auser wants to perform voice chat with a friend, Alice 501, the user mayclick the friend. In this case, a control layer 502 pops up. The controllayer 502 includes several button-type controls, such as a “poke” button503, a “chat” button 504, and a “message” button 505. When the “chat”button 504 on the control layer 502 is clicked or triggered, the instantmessaging client A sends, according to the click of the user, a voicechat request to Alice by using the server 100.

S120: Detecting an online/offline state of the destination client of thevoice chat request.

After receiving the voice chat request sent by the instant messagingclient A, the server 100 checks the online/offline state of thedestination client of the voice chat request, that is, theonline/offline state of the client of the friend Alice. It may beunderstood that, the server 100 collects and stores the online/offlinestate of each client in real time, so that the server 100 can check theonline/offline state after the server 100 receives the voice chatrequest.

S130: Determining whether the destination client is online. If thedestination client is online, the method proceeds to S140 and, if thedestination client is not online, the method proceeds to S150.

S140: Entering a real-time chat mode, so that the source client and thedestination client perform real-time voice communication.

That is, when the destination client is online, a real-time chatinterface is directly entered, so that the two parties can performreal-time voice chat.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram of operation when a destination client isonline after a voice chat request is triggered in a voice-chat-modeself-adapting method according to an embodiment of this application. Asshown in FIG. 6, in the real-time chat mode, “me” and “Alice” canperform real-time voice chat. The instant messaging client A displays areal-time chat interface 506, collects (for example, by using amicrophone on the terminal on which the instant messaging client A islocated) a voice signal sent by “me”, and transmits the voice signal tothe instant messaging client B in real-time by using the server 100.After receiving the voice signal, the instant messaging client B outputsthe voice signal by using a voice output apparatus (such as a speaker)on the terminal on which the instant messaging client B is located. Theinstant messaging client B collects, for example, by using a microphoneon the terminal on which the instant messaging client B is located, avoice signal sent by “Alice”, and transmits the voice signal in time tothe instant messaging client A by using the server 100. After receivingthe voice signal, the instant messaging client A outputs the voicesignal by using a voice output apparatus (such as a speaker) on theterminal on which the instant messaging client A is located.

S150: Entering a voice message mode, so that the source client and thedestination client send a voice message to each other.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of operation when a destination client isnot online after a voice chat request is triggered in a voice-chat-modeself-adapting method according to an embodiment of this application.When the destination client (that is, the client of the friend, Alice)is not online, i.e., in an offline state, the voice message mode isentered. The server 100 notifies the instant messaging client A to enterthe voice message mode. A voice-recording floating layer 507 pops up onthe voice chat interface, to automatically record a voice message in acurrent environment, and send the voice that is recorded to the server100, so that the voice message is sent to the destination client by theserver 100. A voice signal collection apparatus such as a microphone isset on the terminal on which the messaging client A is located. Whenvoice recording needs to be implemented, the voice signal collectionapparatus is automatically enabled, to automatically record a voice.

It may be understood that, the foregoing voice chat request that is sentmay further be triggered by touching and holding the “chat” button 504in FIG. 5. The server 100 determines whether the destination client isonline according to the voice chat request. If the destination client isonline, the server 100 controls the instant messaging clients todirectly enter the real-time chat interface 506. If the destinationclient is not online, the server 100 controls the instant messagingclient, so that the voice-recording floating layer 507 pops up on acurrent page of the instant messaging client, to automatically record avoice message in the current environment, and send the voice messagethat is recorded to the server 100, so that the voice message is sent tothe destination client by using the server 100, as shown in FIG. 7.

In the embodiment, when a voice chat request is triggered, a voicemessage mode is entered in default. During operation, a real-time chatmode is switched to when it is determined that a destination client isonline, and the voice message mode is directly entered when it isdetermined that the destination client is not online.

In the embodiment of this application, when clients perform voice chat,a server can enable clients to enter a corresponding voice chat modeaccording to whether the two parties performing the voice chat areonline, so that the chat manner is more flexible, and communicationbetween friends is more convenient and faster.

Further, based on the foregoing embodiment, another voice-chat-modeself-adapting method in this application is provided. FIG. 8 is aschematic flowchart of a voice-chat-mode self-adapting method accordingto an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 8, in theembodiment, after the foregoing S140 or S150, the method furtherincludes the followings.

S160: Periodically checking an online/offline state of each clientperforming the voice chat.

After a voice chat is established between the source client and thedestination client, the server 100 periodically checks an online/offlinestate of each party.

S170: Performing automatic switching between the voice message mode andthe real-time chat mode according to the online/offline state of eachclient performing the voice chat.

During the voice chat, when the source client sends a voice message tothe destination client, if the server 100 finds that the destinationclient is in an online state, the server 100 sends the voice message tothe destination client. When the source client further sends a voicemessage, the real-time chat mode is automatically switched to. When thesource client and the destination client perform real-time chat, if theserver 100 finds that the source client or the destination client is notonline, the voice chat mode is automatically switched to.

Thus, voice-chat-mode self-adapting is performed when a voice chatrequest is triggered. In addition, after a corresponding voice chat modeis entered, a corresponding voice chat mode is switched to in real-timeaccording to the online/offline states of two parties.

Further, the server 100 updates the online/offline state of each client.That is, the server 100 receives and stores the online/offline statereported by each client. Specifically, the server 100 receives aheartbeat packet automatically reported by the client on the chatinterface, and the so-called heartbeat packet is simple informationregularly sent by a client to a server for notifying the server whetherthe client is online. The heartbeat packet may include, for example, anonline heartbeat packet and an offline heartbeat packet. When a presetnumber of consecutive online heartbeat packets reported by the clientare received, the server may determine that the client is in an onlinestate, and stores the online state for the client; when the receivedheartbeat packet reported by the client is an offline heartbeat packet,the server may determine that the client is in an offline state, andstores the offline state for the client.

According to the embodiment of this application, a format of theheartbeat packet may include: a room identifier (roomid), a uniqueself-identifier id, and an online/offline identifier (OnlineFlag). Theroom identifier is an identifier of a chat room that is created for twoparties performing chat, which is used to bind the two partiesperforming the chat. As shown in the following Table 1:

Room identifier Roomid Longlong Unique self-identifier Id LongOnline/offline OnlineFlag Bool identifier

According to the embodiment of this application, for an online/offlineidentifier, it is set in such a manner that when a Bool value is 1, itindicates an online identifier (an online state), or when a Bool valueis 0, it indicates an offline identifier (an offline state). When aninstant messaging client enters a chat interface, the instant messagingclient sends an online heartbeat packet to the server at presetintervals (such as 2 s). A format of content that is sent includes: aroom identifier (roomid), a unique self-identifier id (the client), andan online/offline identifier (1). When the instant messaging clientwithdraws from the chat interface, the instant messaging client sends anoffline heartbeat packet. A format of content that is sent includes: aroom identifier (roomid), a unique self-identifier id, and anonline/offline identifier (0).

After receiving the heartbeat packet reported by the client, the server100 determines whether the instant messaging client is online accordingto the heartbeat packets. When an online/offline identifier in theheartbeat packet is 0, it is determined that the instant messagingclient is in an offline state. When the online/offline identifier in theheartbeat packet is 1, it is determined that the instant messagingclient is in an online state. If online/offline identifiers of a presetnumber (such as five) of consecutive heartbeat packets received by theserver 100 are 1, it is determined that the instant messaging client isin a stable online state. It may be understood that, if the server 100does not receive, within a preset time period (such as 10 s), anyheartbeat packet reported by the client, it is determined that theinstant messaging client is in an offline state.

The server 100 updates an online/offline state of each client byreceiving a heartbeat packet uploaded by each client, so that the server100 can enter a corresponding voice chat mode according to theonline/offline state of the destination client when the source clientinitiates a voice chat request.

Further, the server 100 may further establish real-time stateinformation between friends according to room identifier roomid. Aformat of the state information is shown in the following Table 2:

Room identifier Roomid Longlong Online/offline identifier OnlineFlagBool Unique counterpart Pariuuid Long identifier (for verification)

After receiving a heartbeat packet reported by the instant messagingclient A, the server 100 searches, according to Table 2, for a uniquecounterpart identifier (that is, Pariuuid) that corresponds to a roomidA, and checks whether both the instant messaging client A and theinstant messaging client B are online according to heartbeat packetsreported by the instant messaging client A and the instant messagingclient B. The “Online/offline identifier” may be set based on theonline/offline state of the clients.

Further, FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a voice-chat-modeself-adapting method according to an embodiment of this application. Asshown in FIG. 9, after the foregoing S140, the method further includesthe followings.

S180: Delivering, when any of the clients performing the real-time chatis offline, an offline notification to a client that is not offline.

After entering the real-time chat mode, the server 100 further checksonline/offline states of the two parties. If the two parties maintain anonline state, the real-time chat mode may be maintained. If either ofthe two parties is in an offline state, the voice message mode isautomatically switched to, and an offline notification is delivered to aclient that is not offline.

It may be understood that, when both the source client and thedestination client are online, the server 100 further sends the onlinestate to the other client. For example, the server 100 sends the onlinestate of the destination client to the source client, and sends theonline state of the source client to the destination client. Inaddition, after the client receives the online state sent by the server,the server stores the state.

Correspondingly, FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a functional moduleof a voice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus according to an embodimentof this application. As shown in FIG. 10, the voice-chat-modeself-adapting apparatus in the embodiment may include:

a request receiving module 110, a state checking module 120, and a modecontrol module 130.

The request receiving module 110 is configured to receive a voice chatrequest sent by a source client on a chat interface, the voice chatrequest including information about a corresponding destination clientthat is on the chat interface.

The state checking module 120 is configured to determine whether thedestination client of the voice chat request is online. The mode controlmodule 130 is configured to: enter a voice message mode when thedestination client is not online, so that the source client and thedestination client send a voice message to each other; or enter areal-time chat mode when the destination client is online, so that thesource client and the destination client perform real-time voice chat.

The request receiving module 110 receives a voice chat request sent by aclient. The voice chat request is generated after the client istriggered by a user. The client is on a terminal. The terminal may be aPC, a smartphone, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a handheldcomputer, or the like. Using an instant messaging client as an example,a user enables an instant messaging client of the terminal and enters avoice chat interface. As shown in FIG. 4, the voice chat interface 400includes several corresponding button-type controls, such as a “poke”button 401, a “chat” button 402, and a “message” button 403, and anavatar (Atuzheng) 404 of the user is displayed. After the user clicksthe “chat” button 402, a friend list interface 405 pops up for the userto select a friend to chat with. After the user selects a friend, Alice406, the instant messaging client A sends, according to the triggeringof the user, a voice chat request to Alice by using the server 100.

It may be understood that the voice chat interface may instead displaythe friend list interface first, as shown in FIG. 5. On a friend listinterface 500, if the user wants to perform voice chat with a friend,Alice 501, the user may click the friend. In this case, a control layer502 pops up. The control layer 502 includes several button-typecontrols, such as a “poke” button 503, a “chat” button 504, and a“message” button 505. When the “chat” button 504 on the control layer502 is triggered, the instant messaging client A sends, according to thetriggering of the user, a voice chat request to Alice by using theserver 100.

After receiving the voice chat request sent by the instant messagingclient A, the state checking module 120 checks an online/offline stateof a destination client of the voice chat request, that is, anonline/offline state of the client of the friend Alice. It may beunderstood that, the server 100 collects and stores an online/offlinestate of each client in real time, so that the server 100 can check theonline/offline state after the server 100 receives the voice chatrequest.

When the destination client is online, the mode control module 130controls the instant messaging clients to directly enter a chatinterface, so that the two parties can perform real-time chat, as shownin FIG. 6. In the real-time chat mode, “me” and “Alice” can performreal-time voice chat. The instant messaging client A displays areal-time chat interface 506, collects (for example, by using amicrophone on the terminal on which the instant messaging client A islocated) a voice signal sent by “me”, and transmits the voice signal tothe instant messaging client B in time by using the server 100. Afterreceiving the voice signal, the instant messaging client B outputs thevoice signal by using a voice output apparatus (such as a speaker) onthe terminal on which the instant messaging client B is located. Theinstant messaging client B collects, for example, by using a microphoneon the terminal on which the instant messaging client B is located, avoice signal sent by “Alice”, and transmits the voice signal in time tothe instant messaging client A by using the server 100. After receivingthe voice signal, the instant messaging client A outputs the voicesignal by using a voice output apparatus (such as a speaker) on theterminal on which the instant messaging client A is located.

When a destination client (that is, the client of the friend, Alice) isnot online, the mode control module 130 controls the instant messagingclient to enter the voice message mode. The server 100 notifies theinstant messaging client A to enter the voice message mode. Avoice-recording floating layer 507 pops up on the voice chat interface,to automatically record a voice in the current environment, and send thevoice that is recorded to the server 100, so that the voice is sent tothe destination client by the server 100. A voice signal collectionapparatus such as a microphone is set on the terminal. When voicerecording needs to be implemented, the voice signal collection apparatusis automatically enabled, to automatically record a voice.

Thus, when clients perform voice chat, a server can enable clients toenter a corresponding voice chat mode according to whether the twoparties performing the voice chat are online, so that the chat manner ismore flexible, and communication between friends is more convenient andfaster.

Further, the state checking module 120 is further configured to check,in real time, an online/offline state of each client performing thevoice chat.

The mode control module 130 is further configured to perform automaticswitching between the voice message mode and the real-time chat modeaccording to the online/offline state of each client performing thevoice chat.

Specifically, during the voice chat, after a voice chat is establishedbetween the source client and the destination client, the state checkingmodule 120 periodically checks an online/offline state of each party.When the source client sends a voice message to the destination client,if the state checking module 120 finds that the destination client is inan online state, the mode control module 130 sends the voice message tothe destination client. When the source client further sends a voicemessage, the mode control module 130 automatically switches to thereal-time chat mode. When the source client and the destination clientperform real-time chat, if the state checking module 120 finds that thesource client or the destination client is not online, the mode controlmodule 130 automatically switches to the voice chat mode.

In the embodiment, voice-chat-mode self-adapting is performed when avoice chat request is triggered. In addition, after a correspondingvoice chat mode is entered, a corresponding voice chat mode is switchedto in time according to online/offline states of two parties. In thisway, the chat manner is relatively flexible.

Further, FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a functional module of avoice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus according to an embodiment ofthis application. As shown in FIG. 11, the foregoing voice-chat-modeself-adapting apparatus may further include: a state updating module140.

The state updating module 140 is configured to receive an online/offlinestate reported by each client, and store the online/offline state.Specifically, the state updating module 140 includes: a heartbeat packetreceiving unit 141 and a state determining unit 142.

The heartbeat packet receiving unit 141 is configured to receive aheartbeat packet automatically reported by the client on the chatinterface, the heartbeat packet including an online heartbeat packet andan offline heartbeat packet.

The state determining unit 142 is configured to: when a preset number ofconsecutive online heartbeat packets reported by the client arereceived, determine that the client is in an online state, and store theonline state; or when the received heartbeat packet reported by theclient is an offline heartbeat packet, determine that the client is inan offline state, and store the offline state.

According to the embodiment of this application, a format of theforegoing heartbeat packet includes: a room identifier (roomid), aunique self-identifier id, and an online/offline identifier(OnlineFlag). The room identifier is an identifier of a chat room thatis created for two parties performing chat, which is used to bond thetwo parties performing the chat. As shown in the following Table 3:

Room identifier Roomid Longlong Unique self-identifier Id LongOnline/offline identifier OnlineFlag Bool

According to the embodiment of this application, for an online/offlineidentifier, it is set in such a manner that when a Bool value is 1, itindicates an online identifier, or when a Bool value is 0, it indicatesan offline identifier. When an instant messaging client enters a chatinterface, the instant messaging client sends an online heartbeat packetto the server at preset intervals (such as 2 s). A format of contentthat is sent includes: a room identifier (roomid), a uniqueself-identifier id, and an online/offline identifier (1). When theinstant messaging client withdraws from the chat interface, the instantmessaging client sends an offline heartbeat packet. A format of contentthat is sent includes: a room identifier (roomid), a uniqueself-identifier id, and an online/offline identifier (0).

After receiving the heartbeat packet reported by the client, the server100 determines whether the instant messaging client is online accordingto the heartbeat packet. When an online/offline identifier in theheartbeat packet is 0, it is determined that the instant messagingclient is in an offline state. When the online/offline identifier in theheartbeat packet is 1, it is determined that the instant messagingclient is in an online state. If online/offline identifiers of a presetquantity (such as five) of consecutive heartbeat packets that arereceived by the server 100 are 1, it is determined that the instantmessaging client is in a stable online state. It may be understood that,if the server 100 does not receive, within a preset time period (such as10 s), any heartbeat packet reported by the client, it is determinedthat the instant messaging client is in an offline state.

The server 100 updates an online/offline state of each client byreceiving a heartbeat packet uploaded by each client, so that the server100 can enter a corresponding voice chat mode according to anonline/offline state of a destination client when the client initiates avoice chat request.

Further, the state updating module 140 may further establish real-timestate information between friends according to room identifier roomid. Aformat of the information is shown in the following Table 4:

Room identifier Roomid Longlong Online/offline identifier OnlineFlagBool Unique counterpart Pariuuid Long identifier (for rectification)

After receiving a heartbeat packet reported by the instant messagingclient A, the server 100 searches, according to Table 4, for a uniquecounterpart identifier (that is, Pariuuid) that corresponds to a roomidA, and checks whether both the instant messaging client A and theinstant messaging client B are online according to heartbeat packetsreported by the instant messaging client A and the instant messagingclient B.

Further, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a functional module of avoice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus according to an embodiment ofthis application. As shown in FIG. 12, the foregoing voice-chat-modeself-adapting apparatus further includes: a state notification module150, configured to deliver, when any of the clients performing thereal-time chat is offline, an offline notification to a client that isnot offline.

After entering the real-time chat mode, the state checking module 120further checks online/offline states of the two parties. If the twoparties maintain an online state, the real-time chat mode may bemaintained. If either of the two parties is in an offline state, themode control module 130 automatically switches to the voice messagemode, and the state notification module 150 delivers an offlinenotification to a client that is not offline.

It may be understood that, when both the source client and thedestination client are online, the state notification module 150 furthersends the online state to the other client. For example, the server 100sends the online state of the destination client to the source client,and sends the online state of the source client to the destinationclient. In addition, after the client receives the online state sent bythe server, the server stores the state.

The mode self-adapting apparatuses in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 may be, forexample, the mode self-adapting apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 2, and themodules in the mode self-adapting apparatuses may be the instructionmodule that can be processed by the processor 101.

FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart of a voice-chat-mode self-adaptingmethod according to an embodiment of this application. Thevoice-chat-mode self-adapting method is applied to a source client, andincludes the followings.

S210: Sending a voice chat request on a chat interface, the voice chatrequest including information about a corresponding destination clientthat is on the chat interface.

S220: Receiving a notice from a server to entering a voice message modewhen it is determined that the destination client is not online,entering the voice message mode, and sending a voice message with thedestination client.

S230: Receiving a notice from the server to enter a real-time chat modewhen it is determined that the destination client is online, enteringthe real-time chat mode, and performing real-time voice chat with thedestination client.

FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart of another voice-chat-modeself-adapting method according to an embodiment of this application.

Based on FIG. 13, after the client enters a voice message mode or areal-time chat mode, the voice-chat-mode self-adapting method furtherincludes:

S240: Reporting an online/offline state of the client to the server, andperforming automatic switching between the voice message mode and thereal-time chat mode according to a setting provided by the server.

Specifically, for reporting the online/offline state of the client tothe server, the client automatically sends a heartbeat packet afterentering the chat interface, the heartbeat packet including an onlineheartbeat packet and an offline heartbeat packet, where when a presetnumber of consecutive online heartbeat packets are reported, itindicates that the reporting client is in an online state; or when thereported heartbeat packet is an offline heartbeat packet, it indicatesthat the reporting client is in an offline state.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a functional module of avoice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus according to an embodiment ofthis application. The voice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus 2000 isapplied to a source client, and may include the following modules: arequest sending module 210 and a mode control module 220.

The request sending module 210 is configured to send a voice chatrequest on a chat interface, the voice chat request includinginformation about a corresponding destination client that is on the chatinterface.

The mode control module 220 is configured to: when the destinationclient is not online, receive a notice from a server for entering avoice message mode, enter the voice message mode, and send a voicemessage with the destination client; or when the destination client isonline, receive a notice from the server for entering a real-time chatmode, enter the real-time chat mode, and perform real-time voice chatwith the destination client.

FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of another voice-chat-modeself-adapting apparatus according to an embodiment of this application.

Based on FIG. 15, the voice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus 2000further includes a state updating module 230, configured to report anonline/offline state of a source client to a server.

Specifically, the state updating module 230 is configured toautomatically send a heartbeat packet after entering the chat interface,the heartbeat packet including an online heartbeat packet and an offlineheartbeat packet, where when a preset number of consecutive onlineheartbeat packets are reported, it indicates that the reporting clientis in an online state; or when the reported heartbeat packet is anoffline heartbeat packet, it indicates that the reporting client is inan offline state.

The voice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatuses 2000 in FIG. 13 to FIG. 16are located on a terminal device. The terminal device may be a fixedterminal or a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone, an intelligenttelephone, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a PDA (personaldigital assistant), a PAD (tablet computer), a handheld computer, a PMP(portable media player), a wearable device (such as a smart band or asmartwatch), or the like. The modules in the mode self-adaptingapparatus 2000 may be, for example, the instruction module that can beprocessed by the processor.

It may be clear according to the descriptions of the foregoing examplesthat, this application may be implemented by hardware, or may beimplemented by software in addition to a necessary universal hardwareplatform. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions inthis application may be implemented in a form of a software product. Thesoftware product may be stored in a nonvolatile storage medium, andincludes several instructions for instructing a computer device (whichmay be a personal computer, a server, a network device, or the like) toperform the method described in each embodiment of this application.

In the foregoing embodiments, an example of two clients is used fordescription. However, the method in the embodiment of this applicationis also applicable to a scenario in which a user initiates a chatrequest to multiple clients.

The foregoing descriptions are merely embodiments of this applicationand are not intended to limit the patent scope of this application. Anyequivalent modifications made to the structures or processes based onthe content of the specification and the accompanying drawings of thisapplication for direct or indirect use in other relevant technicalfields shall also be encompassed in the patent protection scope of thisapplication.

What is claimed is:
 1. A voice-chat-mode self-adapting methodimplemented by a computing terminal having a processor and a memory, themethod comprising: receiving a voice chat request instructed by a sourceclient for a voice chat via a chat interface of an electronic devicewith a destination client; monitoring sending of any heartbeat packetinstructed by the source client and the destination client within apreset time period; upon confirmation within the preset time period onsending of a preset number of online heartbeat packets, recording, asbeing of online, at least one of the source and destination clientscorresponding to the sending of the preset number of online heartbeatpackets; upon confirmation within the preset time period on non-sendingof the preset number of online heartbeat packets, recording, as being ofoffline, at least one of the source and destination clientscorresponding to the non-sending of the preset number of onlineheartbeat packets; when the destination client is offline, effecting avoice message mode at which the source client records a voice message tobe sent to the destination client; when the destination client isonline, effecting a real-time chat mode at which the source client andthe destination client perform a real-time voice chat; when one of thesource and destination clients in the real-time voice chat becomesoffline, delivering an offline notification to the other of the sourceand destination clients, the other of the source and destination clientsbeing still online; and switching the voice chat from the real-time chatmode to the voice message mode when either of the source and destinationclients becomes offline from being previously online in the voice chat.2. The voice-chat-mode self-adapting method according to claim 1,wherein the non-sending of the preset number of online heartbeat packetsincludes sending of an offline heartbeat packet.
 3. The voice-chat-modeself-adapting method according to claim 1, wherein, when the voicemessage mode is effected, the chat interface automatically displays avoice recorder to record the voice message to be sent to the destinationclient.
 4. The voice-chat-mode self-adapting method according to claim1, wherein monitoring sending of any heartbeat packet instructed by thedestination client is performed prior to receiving the voice chatrequest.
 5. A voice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus, comprising: amemory storing instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory and,when executing the instructions, configured for: receiving a voice chatrequest instructed by a source client for a voice chat via a chatinterface of an electronic device with a destination client; monitoringsending of any heartbeat packet instructed by the source client and thedestination client within a preset time period; upon confirmation withinthe preset time period on sending of a preset number of online heartbeatpackets, recording, as being online, at least one of the source anddestination clients corresponding to the sending of the preset number ofonline heartbeat packets; upon confirmation within the preset timeperiod on non-sending of the preset number of online heartbeat packets,recording, as being offline, at least one of the source and destinationclients corresponding to the non-sending of the preset number of onlineheartbeat packets; when the destination client is offline, effecting avoice message mode at which the source client records a voice message tobe sent to the destination client; when the destination client isonline, effecting a real-time chat mode at which the source client andthe destination client perform a real-time voice chat; when one of thesource and destination clients in the real-time voice chat becomesoffline, delivering an offline notification to the other of the sourceand destination clients, the other of the source and destination clientsbeing still online; and switching voice chat from the real-time chatmode to the voice message mode when either of the source and destinationclients becomes offline from being previously online in the voice chat.6. The voice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the non-sending of the preset number of online heartbeat packetsincludes sending of an offline heartbeat packet.
 7. The voice-chat-modeself-adapting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when the voicemessage mode is effected, the chat interface automatically displays avoice recorder to record the voice message to be sent to the destinationclient.
 8. The voice-chat-mode self-adapting apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein monitoring sending of any heartbeat packet instructedby the destination client is performed prior to receiving the voice chatrequest.
 9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containingcomputer-executable instructions for, when executed by one or moreprocessors, performing a voice-chat-mode self-adapting method, themethod comprising: receiving a voice chat request instructed by a sourceclient for a voice chat via a chat interface of an electronic devicewith a destination client; monitoring sending of any heartbeat packetinstructed by the source client and the destination client within apreset time period; upon confirmation within the preset time period onsending of a preset number of online heartbeat packets, recording, asbeing online, at least one of the source and destination clientscorresponding to the sending of the preset number of online heartbeatpackets; upon confirmation within the preset time period on non-sendingof the preset number of online heartbeat packets, recording, as beingoffline, at least one of the source and destination clientscorresponding to the non-sending of the preset number of onlineheartbeat packets; when the destination client is offline, effecting avoice message mode at which the source client records a voice message tobe sent to the destination client; when the destination client isonline, effecting a real-time chat mode at which the source client andthe destination client perform a real-time voice chat; when one of thesource and destination clients in the real-time voice chat becomesoffline, delivering an offline notification to the other of the sourceand destination clients, the other of the source and destination clientsbeing still online; and switching the voice chat from the real-time chatmode to the voice message mode when either of the source and destinationclients becomes offline from being previously online in the voice chat.10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according toclaim 9, wherein the non-sending of the preset number of onlineheartbeat packets includes sending of an offline heartbeat packet. 11.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim9, wherein, when the voice message mode is effected, the chat interfaceautomatically displays a voice recorder to record the voice message tobe sent to the destination client.
 12. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 9, whereinmonitoring sending of any heartbeat packet instructed by the destinationclient is performed prior to receiving the voice chat request.